Bulat Sabitov, a young filmmaker from Tatarstan, Russia, attended the 43rd edition of the Fajr International Film Festival with “I Will Come,” which was screened in the Future Frame section. The film follows an adventurous and deeply human journey rooted in family bonds and the challenges of adolescence. In this interview, Sabitov reflects on the idea behind his film, his experience at the Fajr International Film Festival, and his perspective on morally driven cinema.
Please tell us a little about the film you presented at this edition of the festival.
The story of my film is about a sixteen-year-old boy who escapes from a rehabilitation center in order to visit his grandmother, the only remaining member of his family, from whom he has not received any message for two weeks. Along the way, he meets an eight-year-old boy, and the two begin an adventurous journey together.
What motivated you to submit your film to the Fajr International Film Festival?
We usually submit our films to various festivals because we like to see the reactions and opinions of audiences from different cultural backgrounds toward our work.
Considering the poetic-cinema approach of this year’s festival, would you describe your film as poetic?
I mainly tried to show ordinary, real-life situations in my film- so much so that even grandmothers and grandfathers could watch it and fully understand it. Therefore, I would say that my film takes a more moral approach.
In directing this film, what methods did you use to guide the actors and crew to achieve the desired result?
Before making the film, I spoke individually with the actors, learning about their personal lives and lifestyles. I explained each role to them in full detail. In addition, before each stage of filming, the responsibilities and roles were reviewed again with every actor.
Are you familiar with Iranian cinema?
Every year in Kazan, my hometown, international film festivals were held – especially those showcasing films from Arab and Iranian Muslim countries. Through these events, I became familiar with many Iranian films.
What were your thoughts on this edition of the festival and its atmosphere?
The Fajr International Film Festival is a very prominent and well-organized event. In general, a festival is a place for communication and the exchange of ideas between different cultures, and I greatly enjoyed this edition.
